Objective:To investigate the protocol and clinical efficacy of hair follicle-bearing microskin (HF-MS) transplantation in the treatment of hypertrophic scars.Methods:Prospective randomized controlled trial. From January to November 2024, patients with hypertrophic scars were recruited from the Medical Cosmetic Center of Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital with Westlake University School of Medicine and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of Ningbo Sixth Hospital. Patients were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group using a random number table. In the observation group, 1.0 mm punch decompression was performed on the hypertrophic scar area, followed by implantation of HF-MS extracted from the scalp donor site using follicular unit excision (FUE) into the decompression pores. The control group underwent only 1.0 mm punch decompression. Vancouver scar scale (VSS) scores (total score 0-15, higher scores indicating more severe scarring) were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Efficacy at 6 months, improvement in hypertrophic scar area, hair survival rate (observation group), adverse reactions, and patients’ satisfaction rates were evaluated. Categorical data were expressed as frequency (%) and analyzed using chi-square tests; normally distributed measurement data were expressed as Mean ± SD and analyzed using independent samples t-tests. Results:A total of 50 patients were included (25 per group), with 22 males and 28 females, aged 18-60 years (mean age: 33 years). The effective rate was 92% (23/25) in the observation group and 68% (17/25) in the control group, showing a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Preoperative VSS scores did not differ significantly between the observation and control groups [(6.67±3.19) vs. (7.12±2.89), P>0.05]. At 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, the observation group had VSS scores of (5.48±2.60), (4.64±2.39), and (3.80±2.10), respectively, compared to (6.36±2.53), (5.84±2.28), and (5.32±2.09) in the control group. The 6-month postoperative VSS scores differed significantly between groups ( P<0.05). Preoperative hypertrophic scar areas showed no significant difference [(5.75±2.83) cm 2 vs. (6.91±3.31) cm 2,P>0.05]. At 6 months postoperatively, the observation group had significantly smaller scar areas than the control group [(3.15±1.55) cm 2 vs. (5.37±2.93) cm 2,P<0.01]. The average hair survival rate in the observation group was 41% at 6 months. Adverse reactions occurred in 3 cases in the observation group (2 skin indurations, 1 hyperpigmentation) and 7 cases in the control group (4 hyperpigmentation, 2 skin atrophy, 1 skin induration). The observation group had a significantly lower adverse reaction rate [12% (3/25) vs. 28% (7/25), P<0.05]. Patient satisfaction rates were 88% (22/25) in the observation group and 64% (16/25) in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:HF-MS transplantation demonstrates definitive clinical efficacy in treating hypertrophic scars, effectively improving scar morphology, clinical symptoms, and patient quality of life.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of the sixth generation CyberKnife (M6) in treating patients with brain metastases, and analyze clinical characteristics and dosimetric factors.Methods:Clinical data of patients with brain metastases who received CyberKnife treatment at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from April 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with CyberKnife with 6 MV X-ray. According to the maximum diameter of brain metastases, the radiation prescription dose of brain metastases was adjusted. The tumor remission, recurrence, 6-month and 1-year overall survival (OS), local control (LC) of intracranial target lesions, progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) of intracranial brain metastases and adverse reactions were evaluated. According to the median biological dose, the survival difference between the groups was compared. Survival analysis was conducted by Kaplan-Meier method. Survival differences among different groups were analyzed by log-rank test.Results:A total of 63 eligible patients with brain metastases were enrolled, with a median age of 59 years (rang: 36-80 years). Among them, 47 patients were diagnosed with primary tumors originating from the lungs, 16 patients with primary tumors originating from other organs; 44 patients with single brain metastases, and 19 patients with 2-3 lesions, respectively. The median biological dose was 67.2 Gy (rang: 47.4-86.4 Gy), and the median single dose was 8 Gy/F (rang: 4-24 Gy/F). The follow-up was conducted until July 15, 2024. The median follow-up time for the entire group was 9 months (rang: 2-15 months). Among the 87 target lesions treated with CyberKnife, 11 patients corresponding to 14 target lesions experienced local recurrence. And the 6-month and 1-year LC rates were 92.5% and 70.9%, respectively. Ten patients corresponding to 16 target lesions died. And the 6-month and 1-year OS rates were 92.7% and 74.8%, respectively. Thirty-five patients corresponding to 50 target lesions experienced disease progression. And the 6-month and 1-year PFS rates were 64.3% and 25.5%, respectively. Thirty-three patients corresponding to 48 target lesions showed distant metastasis outside the target lesions, with a 6-month DMFS of 67.0% and a 1-year DMFS of 33.9%. Group comparison showed that 43 target lesions in the group receiving ≤67.2 Gy irradiation and 44 in the group receiving >67.2 Gy irradiation. The 6-month LC, OS, PFS, and DMFS rates between two groups were 89.8% vs. 97.7% ( P=0.127), 89.8% vs. 95.4% ( P=0.305), 65.4% vs. 68.5% ( P=0.514), 65.4% vs. 68.5% ( P=0.516), respectively. The 1-year LC, OS, PFS, and DMFS rates between two groups were 54.1% vs. 89.5% ( P=0.003), 67.3% vs. 82.9% ( P=0.219), 19.2% vs. 32.7% ( P=0.370) and 23.3% vs. 33.0% ( P=0.533). During the follow-up, only 2 patients (3.2%) were found to have grade 1-2 radiation-induced brain injury (asymptomatic brain injury) by MRI examination, and there were no other radiotherapy related adverse reactions. Conclusions:CyberKnife therapy is clinically effective for brain metastases, with mild adverse reactions. Increasing the tumor irradiation dose can improve local tumor control and is expected to further improve the OS of patients.

Objective:To explore the impact of the two-way referral model on compliance and prognosis in patients with heart failure.Methods:This bidirectional cohort study enrolled chronic heart failure (CHF) patients treated at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or designated primary hospitals between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were categorized into two groups based on referral status: two-way referral group (participating in the referral model with≥1 follow-up visit at primary hospitals) and the core hospital group (receiving treatment and follow-up exclusively at Qilu Hospital). Baseline clinical characteristics were collected and compared between groups. Patients underwent followed-up, with primary endpoints including follow-up rate, drug (β-blockers, angiotension converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blockers (ARB)/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) utilization rate and target dose achievement rate. Secondary endpoints encompassed changes from baseline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), plus cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed longitudinal trends in LVEF, LVEDd, and NT-proBNP levels. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression evaluated LVEF recovery rates, supplemented by subgroup analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing target dose achievement rate for β-blockers and ACEI/ARB/ARNI therapies in CHF patients.Results:A total of 357 patients were enrolled, aged 53 (41, 63) years, including 256 males (71.7%). 157 patients were in the two-way referral group and 200 patients in the core hospital-treated group. Compared with the core hospital-treated group, the two-way referral group had lower baseline LVEF (28 (22, 34)% vs. 31 (23, 36)%, P=0.021) and systolic blood pressure (116 (104, 125) mmHg vs. 121 (109, 134) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), P=0.010). The 12-month follow-up rate of the two-way referral group was higher than the core hospital-treated group (73.8% vs. 56.0%, P=0.004). No significant between-group differences were observed in drug utilization rate of β-blockers, ACEI/ARB/ARNI, or sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors during follow-up (all P>0.05), while mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists use showed a declining trend in both groups. Although the core hospital-treated group had higher target dose achievement rates for β-blockers (65.4% vs. 49.3%, P=0.042) and ACEI/ARB/ARNI (79.8% vs. 65.8%, P=0.046) than the two-way referral group, multivariate logistic regression indicated that the two-way referral model was not a negative predictor for these outcomes (all P>0.05). Both groups showed improved NT-proBNP, LVEDd, and LVEF from baseline (all P<0.001) with no significant difference in trends between groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the composite incidence (7.6% vs. 6.5%, P=0.674) and cumulative incidence (log-rank P=0.684) of cardiovascular death and heart failure rehospitalization at 12 months between two groups. Conclusion:The two-way referral model demonstrates advantages in improving medication adherence, drug utilization rates, and targetdoseachievement rates among CHF patients. This model not only promotes cardiac functional recovery but also reduces risks of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure rehospitalization, achieving comparable therapeutic and management outcomes to those observed in core hospital-treated patients.

Objective To explore an assessment model for multi-level integrated training in health service based on advanced intelligent trauma simulators in order to innovate health service training.Methods An assessment model for multi-level integrated training that involved advanced trauma simulators was adopted to assess chains of treatment and rescue that were composed of multi-hierarchy medical institutions.The assessment focused on trauma emergency response capabilities at each level and the overall therapeutic effect.Results In terms of capabilities for treatment and rescue,group B was the best one,followed by group C and group A.As for the overall therapeutic effect,group A was outstanding,followed by group B and group C.Based on the priorities of combat casualty care,the final results of assessment were as follows:group A was the best one,followed by group B and group C.Conclusion The analysis of processes and outcomes of assessment reveals the edge of this model,as evidenced by the continuity of treatment and rescue,integrity of overall effectiveness,and adaptability of this assessment model.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficiency of a Sophora flavescens Ait (S. flavescens, Ku Shen)-soluble microneedle (SFA-MN) for improving skin lesion symptoms in mice with psoriasis.MethodsSFA-MNs were prepared using a two-mold molding process with 20% w/v polyvinylpyrrolidone and 15% w/v polyvinyl alcohol. The SFA-MNs were assessed for morphology, mechanical properties, in vitro dissolution, identification of components, and skin lesion improvement in imiquimod-induced psoriasis mice.ResultsThe SFA-MNs demonstrated good mechanical properties for efficiently penetrating the dermis, facilitating efficient drug delivery. Furthermore, they effectively inhibited mast cell levels in the dorsal lesion area of psoriasis mice and reduced the expression of the T-lymphocyte factor cluster of differentiation 3 and tumor necrosis factor-α. In addition, this system alleviated skin inflammation, splenic swelling, and thymic atrophy in the psoriasis-like mouse model. Seven major components were detected from SFA-MNs by comparison of the mass-to-nucleus ratios (m/z) of the secondary fragments N-methylcytisine, 5α, 9α-dihydroxymatrine, sophoramine, matrine, oxysophocarpine, oxymatrine, and kushenol O.ConclusionThe drug delivery strategy combining traditional herbal S. flavescens with soluble microneedle technology provides more targeted and effective immune regulation for treating psoriasis-like mice models, enabling enhanced therapeutic effects compared with the control group.

Protrusive facial deformities, characterized by the forward displacement of the teeth and/or jaws beyond the normal range, affect a considerable portion of the population. The manifestations and morphological mechanisms of protrusive facial deformities are complex and diverse, requiring orthodontists to possess a high level of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the relevant orthodontic field. To further optimize the correction of protrusive facial deformities, this consensus proposes that the morphological mechanisms and diagnosis of protrusive facial deformities should be analyzed and judged from multiple dimensions and factors to accurately formulate treatment plans. It emphasizes the use of orthodontic strategies, including jaw growth modification, tooth extraction or non-extraction for anterior teeth retraction, and maxillofacial vertical control. These strategies aim to reduce anterior teeth and lip protrusion, increase chin prominence, harmonize nasolabial and chin-lip relationships, and improve the facial profile of patients with protrusive facial deformities. For severe skeletal protrusive facial deformities, orthodontic-orthognathic combined treatment may be suggested. This consensus summarizes the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of numerous renowned oral experts nationwide, offering reference strategies for the correction of protrusive facial deformities.
Humans ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Malocclusion/therapy* ; Patient Care Planning ; Cephalometry

Objective To investigate the effect of different decompression methods on the efficacy of the unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS).Methods A total of 203 elderly patients with LSS who underwent UBE treatment in our hospital from September 2021 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the unilateral group(102 cases)and the bilateral group(101 cases)according to different decompression methods.The unilateral group underwent unilateral decompression during operation,while the bilateral group underwent bilateral decompression(with bilateral decompression through the same incision and unilateral approach)during operation.The perioperative conditions,anatomical image parameters,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Oswestry disability index(ODI),and complications were compared between the two groups.The rehabilitation progress and complications of patients with different Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)values were compared.Results The operation time of patients in the bilateral group was longer than that in the unilateral group(P<0.05).The dural sac area and lumbar spinal canal area of patients in the bilateral group were larger than those in the unilateral group immediately after operation and 3 months after operation(P<0.05).The VAS scores and ODI 7 days and 3 months after operation of patients in the bilateral group were lower than those in the unilateral group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The first time of getting out of bed after operation and hospital stay in patients with CCI value>2 scores were longer than those in patients with CCI value≤2 scores(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with unilateral decompression,bilateral decompression for elderly patients with severe LSS takes a longer surgical time,but it can better restore lumbar shape,alleviate pain,improve lumbar function,and has higher safety,and the milder the patient's condition,the faster the postoperative recovery.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of cancer related anemia(CRA)in older cancer patients undergoing multi-line anti-tumor treatment.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted,including patients with CRA who were≥65 years old and had received or were currently undergoing multi-line treatment at 9 hospitals in Beijing from June 1,2018 to September 30,2023.Data on gender,age,past history,family history,tumor type,metastasis site,clinical symptoms,blood routine,specialized examination for anemia,anti-tumor and anemia correction treatment were collected.The basic characteristics of the included patients,clinical symptoms,the status of blood cell reduction,treatment conditions,and the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics were analyzed.Results A total of 602 patients were included.The tumor types included lung cancer,colorectal cancer,gastric cancer,esophageal cancer,breast cancer,gynecological tumors,lymphoma.The overall median hemoglobin(HGB)level was 99.00(88.00,107.00)g/L.The HGB levels of patients with different tumor types showed significant differences(P<0.001).The HGB levels of patients with gynecological tumors were significantly lower than those of patients with colorectal cancer,lung cancer and esophageal cancer(P<0.05).The most common clinical symptoms were fatigue,loss of appetite,irregular bowel movements and pain.In terms of anti-tumor treatment,405 patients were receiving multi-line anti-tumor treatment(including combined chemotherapy,combined radiotherapy,combined targeted therapy,and combined immunotherapy),197 patients were receiving symptomatic supportive treatment after multi-line anti-tumor treatment.In terms of anemia correction treatment,183 patients received erythropoietin,folic acid,iron,vitamin B12,or blood transfusion,while 293 patients received TCM for correcting anemia(including Chinese patent medicines,Chinese herbal decoctions,combinations of Chinese patent medicines and Chinese herbal decoctions).Specialized tests for anemia,such as serum iron,total iron binding capacity,transferrin saturation,transferrin,erythropoietin et al,have a detection rate of only 3.65%～27.91%.In terms of the characteristics of TCM syndromes,the main TCM syndrome types of the patients were as follows:syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness,syndrome of qi and blood deficiency,syndrome of heart-spleen deficiency,syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency,syndrome of liver and kidney yin deficiency.Some patients also have the accompanying symptoms of internal binding of static blood and poison,phlegm dampness retention.Further comparison revealed that the HGB level of older patients with CRA who had syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness was significantly lower than patients with other symptom types(P<0.001).The HGB level of patients with syndrome of qi and blood deficiency was significantly lower than patients with syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency(P<0.01)and syndrome of liver and kidney yin deficiency(P<0.001).Patients with symptoms of internal binding of static blood and poison,or symptoms of phlegm dampness retention had significantly lower HGB levels compared to those without accompanying symptoms(P<0.01).Conclusion The rate of specialized blood test for anemia in older patients with CRA was relatively low.The most common TCM syndrome types were syndrome of spleen-stomach weakness and syndrome of qi and blood deficiency.The overall treatment rate was also low.The screening,specialized diagnosis and monitoring of older patients with CRA need to be given more attention,and treatment methods such as TCM,Western medicine,and integrated TCM-Western medicine should be selected based on the patient's condition.

Objective:To investigate the effects of sampling methods on pathological assessment of resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimen with tumor maximum diameter >3 cm after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:NSCLC patients with a large tumor (diameter >3 cm) that were resected after neoadjuvant therapy from June 2020 to July 2023 were retrospectively collected in the Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China. Sampling methods of the tumor bed were performed in accordance with the international and Chinese experts recommendations for resection specimens following neoadjuvant therapy (recommended sampling method, RSM), and all remaining tumor bed lesions were completely sampled after recommended sampling (complete sampling method, CSM). The difference of pathological response assessment of residual viable tumor (RVT) between RSM and CSM was examined.Results:A total of 90 cases were identified and analyzed, including 39 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 51 cases of adenocarcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant therapy including chemotherapy in 22 cases (24.4%), targeted therapy in 14 cases (15.6%), and chemoimmunotherapy in 54 cases (60.0%). There were 62 males and 28 females with an average age of (62.7±17.9) years. The average tumor maximum diameter was 4.3 cm (range, 3.1-8.0 cm). The average number of sampled blocks was 8 blocks (range, 5 to 16) and 15 blocks (range, 8 to 36) per case by RSM and CSM, respectively. According to the definition of major pathological response (MPR) in which RVT is ≤10%, the numbers of patients with MPR were 34 cases by RSM and 30 cases by CSM, respectively. Four cases showed inconsistent RVT between the two methods, including one case of squamous cell carcinoma and three cases of adenocarcinoma. The RVT of the four inconsistent cases was 7%, 7%, 5% and 9% (MPR by RSM), and 15%, 15%, 15% and 20% (non-MPR by CSM), respectively. The kappa values of MPR consistency evaluated by the two sampling methods were 0.893 for all cases, 0.906 for squamous cell carcinoma cases and 0.751 for adenocarcinoma cases. According to MPR cut-off of 65% for invasive primary adenocarcinoma, 24 cases and 20 cases achieved MPR by RSM and CSM, respectively. Of the four inconsistent cases, the RVT by RSM was 60% in three cases and 65% in one case (MPR), whereas the RVT by CSM was 70% in three cases and 75% in one case (non-MPR). The kappa value of the two sampling methods was 0.741.Conclusions:There is high consistency between RSM and CSM in the pathological assessment of post-treatment responses in resected NSCLC specimens with tumor maximum diameter larger than 3 cm. When the percentage of RVT cells is close to MPR, re-evaluation of the specimen is required and CSM may be necessary to accurately evaluate the degree of pathological remission, assist in clinical postoperative treatment, and predict patient prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral